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Grand Canyon, Seligman, Needles, Days 21-24
2011.04.30
This picture and the next two below are to give you an idea of the terrain as we approach Grand Canyon from the south. Big, wide-open vistas with relatively little traffic on a Wednesday (our Day 22).
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Getting closer...
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Almost to Grand Canyon National Park but still crossing through a huge Indian reservation belonging to the Navajo Nation.
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Our first glimpse of the approaching Grand Canyon...this is a side canyon cut by a tributary of the Colorado River. This canyon is only 1000 feet deep while the Grand Canyon is a mile deep (5,000 feet deep). But we respected a sign that said, "1000 foot shear cliff, control children and pets".
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As we looked down the 1000 foot deep precipice above, we had this family group of wild horses keeping watch over us. The white guy is grandpa, that's mom and dad standing in the shade and the young foal (son or daughter) was still suckling for his/her meals.
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The desert has an abundance of growing plants and trees...although, you wouldn't want to fall into any of them:)
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We're at the gate. I was eligible for the lifetime "Agency Senior Pass" so we got in for $10 rather than $25. Love those 60% discounts!
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"The Watchtower" has stood on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon since it was built by the Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railroad in 1932 to add an attraction for tourists to ride the train up from Williams, AZ to visit this wonder. We climbed the five flights of stairs and enjoyed magnificent views in all directions from all the many windows. Its' design is based not upon any specific building but upon ancient Southwest Indian towers in general. Native Americans have painted the entire inside with a large assortment of their historic tribal symbols. This is a stop well worth your time:)
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Northerly view from a ground level observation point just in front of the Watchtower...and our first view of Grand Canyon from the southeast rim. That is the Colorado River running through the canyon.
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Standing in the same place as above but looking westward.
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To me, the pose of this man says it all..., "I can hardly believe my eyes. And here I stand only a few feet from the edge". Inspirational.
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Day 21 was Tuesday, April 26, 2011. Took this day to get ready to hit the road...groceries, laundry, etc.
Day 22 was Wednesday, April 27th. BIG DAY...the Grand Canyon. Simply amazing. We had to drive about 2 1/2 hours each way to get there and return. I think we spent 3-4 hours in the park. We'd love to go back one day and spend 2-3 days in the park overnighting in one of the lodges and capturing the canyon in all types of light...particularly sunrises and sunsets.
Day 23 was Thursday, April 28th. After a leisurely morning which included a little more shopping, we said goodbye to our wonderful hosts, Hugh and Linda and drove 135 miles to Seligman, AZ where we stayed overnight in the same KOA campground we stayed in driving down about 10 days before.
Day 24 was yesterday, Friday, April 29th. We drove 140 miles further down the road to Needles, CA where we are staying in another KOA campground. High winds have been blowing all night…we’re hoping for comparative calm winds tomorrow as we tackle the worst stretch of road on our entire trip down to Arizona (Edwards Air Force Base to Needles)…rough, broken, worn-out roads. Not only did it wear us out but poor Mandy was a wreck too. Clatter, bang, bump, bump for almost four hours straight.
Total trip mileage is now 1935 miles…which in a car is not difficult, but in a 33’ motorhome towing a car (over 50’ in total length) is a bit of a challenge. Hats off to long haul truck drivers who drive these roads for a living!
Thanks for stopping by,
Cheers,
Bill
Day 22 was Wednesday, April 27th. BIG DAY...the Grand Canyon. Simply amazing. We had to drive about 2 1/2 hours each way to get there and return. I think we spent 3-4 hours in the park. We'd love to go back one day and spend 2-3 days in the park overnighting in one of the lodges and capturing the canyon in all types of light...particularly sunrises and sunsets.
Day 23 was Thursday, April 28th. After a leisurely morning which included a little more shopping, we said goodbye to our wonderful hosts, Hugh and Linda and drove 135 miles to Seligman, AZ where we stayed overnight in the same KOA campground we stayed in driving down about 10 days before.
Day 24 was yesterday, Friday, April 29th. We drove 140 miles further down the road to Needles, CA where we are staying in another KOA campground. High winds have been blowing all night…we’re hoping for comparative calm winds tomorrow as we tackle the worst stretch of road on our entire trip down to Arizona (Edwards Air Force Base to Needles)…rough, broken, worn-out roads. Not only did it wear us out but poor Mandy was a wreck too. Clatter, bang, bump, bump for almost four hours straight.
Total trip mileage is now 1935 miles…which in a car is not difficult, but in a 33’ motorhome towing a car (over 50’ in total length) is a bit of a challenge. Hats off to long haul truck drivers who drive these roads for a living!
Thanks for stopping by,
Cheers,
Bill
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Great pictures Bill. Looks like you came in from the east. The canyon is beautiful any time of year, including in winter or during a t-storm. Any wind today? It is cool here in Phoenix and windy. We were lucky temperature wise so far this year.
junge1 · 2011-04-30: 14:36
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